Teachers could see more special education students in their general education classrooms under a proposed rule change by the Illinois State Board of Education.
Currently, no more than 30 percent of students in general education classes can have special education needs. The new rules would allow that number to rise to 40 percent.
At a public hearing held in downtown Chicago last night, teacher Pat Glatz said the proposed change does a disservice to both special and general ed students.
“It would mean to me that children would be standing in line for services. And children should not be expected to stand in line and wait for services,” he says.
The Illinois Education Association says there is no good educational reason for the change. Rather, the advocacy group says the purpose is to save money by allowing school districts to hire fewer special ed teachers.
The deadline for public comment on the changes is this Friday.